Inflatable Passageway Apparatus and Method for Use

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an apparatus and method for providing a unitary passageway for protection from inclement weather and the elements for the protection of workers and property particularly during moving. The unitary passageway of the invention extends from inside a cargo hold of a vehicle, under a canopy, and through an inflatable passageway. In an embodiment of the invention, multiple inflatable tunnels are utilized and their angle with respect to one another may be plus or minus 135 degrees.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large amount of productivity is lost due to inclement weather. When workers must conduct their work in blazing heat or frigid cold, or in rain and snow, morale decreases along with attendance on the job site. The inclement weather may also damage property and requires workmen to take extra precautions to protect such property.

For example, in the moving industry crews are hired to take furniture and boxes outside of residences and businesses and place these items into a vehicle such as a moving truck or van. On rainy days, the moving crews are typically less motivated to carry out their work because of their discomfort in the rain. When there is snow and ice, the job may be exceedingly difficult. Moving companies must fear compensation claims from injured workers and claims of property damage from customers. Thus, many more moves are conducted in warmer months, while workers often sit idle in the winter months.

Further, in inclement weather, moves are more time-consuming and require better protection of property and people. For example, when the ground is slippery, salt must be procured and sprinkled over the entire path from a residence or place of business to the moving truck. When it is cold, workers must wear heavy coats and gloves which restrict ease of movement. Personal property must be well-covered. To prevent damage to furniture in various weather conditions, it needs to be wrapped in plastic before being moved. Such precautions are expensive in both time and possible damages.

Typically, in the moving industry, the prior art procedure is to place the moving truck as close as possible to the building to or from which items are being moved. However, this method has many drawbacks. First, it is not always feasible because of parking restrictions. Second, even when a truck is allowed to park adjacent to a building entrance, the property being moved must usually still be covered and protected, because it will still be briefly exposed to the elements. Third, a truck often cannot move close enough to the egress of a building because it may be much higher than the door and also requires space for a ramp or movable loading platform. Further, even if at a given location placement of a truck to abut a building is possible, at a second location, where the property is to be unloaded, this may not be the case. Prior art solutions had the drawback that, during heavy precipitation, water could enter even in a limited space between truck and building, and workers might have to pause on the job to wait for precipitation to decrease.

In another prior art method, a canopy, such as is marketed by DryMove LLC, is placed between the exit of a building and the moving truck. However, such canopies only provide protection from the elements on the top, leaving the sides open and liable to the problems cited above. In addition, such canopies are difficult and sometimes time-consuming to setup, and require many parts. The property to be moved must still be wrapped and protected from all kinds of weather, and workmen must still be fully garbed.

What is needed is a simple solution to adequately protect workers and property from the elements when moving property from a building to a vehicle such as a moving truck. Ideally, this solution must protect from the elements on all sides, be easy to use, and quick to assemble and dismantle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed is an inflatable passageway for protection from the weather, comprising a two-piece canopy arrangement, joined to form a substantially unitary passageway. The canopy extends from the rear of a vehicle, such as a moving truck, towards a permanent building. The rear of the vehicle has a portal situated between top, right, left, and bottom walls. The first part of the canopy is an inflatable tunnel having a substantially U-shaped configuration defined by an outer surface, a sealed inflatable cavity, and an inner surface, the inner surface defining the walls of the first part of the passageway. This first part of the passageway extends between two portals adapted for entry and egress. The outer surface of the tunnel is provided with a plurality of eyelets for securing the tunnel by securing means to the ground or stationary structures, such as to the left and right walls of the rear of the vehicle.

The second part of the passageway is formed between the vehicle and tunnel by a resilient flexible fabric, such as a tarp, extending out from an initially rolled configuration near the top wall of the back of the vehicle, and extending longitudinally from near the left to the right walls of the vehicle. From the vehicle, the fabric extends over the outer surface of the tunnel where it is secured. Gravitational forces cause portions of the canopy near the right and left walls of the back of the vehicle to fall downwards, defining sides of the passageway. Additionally, the fabric may be secured to a plurality of eyelets provided in the right and left walls of the rear of the vehicle.

Thus, a substantially continuous passageway is provided with protection from the weather on all sides which extends at least from the portal at the rear of the vehicle, underneath the fabric, and through a first portal and under an inflatable tunnel. The inflatable area of the tunnel may be rolled up and further comprises an inflation apparatus which may be powered by battery or AC current. The device of the invention can be configured in less than fifteen minutes.

Still further, the portals of the tunnel may comprise flaps extending from near the inner surface of the tunnel towards the ground. The portals may be positioned at any place on the tunnel such as at the first and seconds ends thereof, or at a first end and through a wall of the passageway. Subsequent tunnels can connect to one another via snug placement of a portal from a first and second tunnel at angles up to 270°.

Other advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the unitary passageway of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cargo hold of a vehicle with eyelets of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cargo hold of a vehicle with eyelets and attached canopy of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A shows a portion of a side of a cargo hold of a vehicle with attached canopy of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B shows an eyelet as used on an inflatable tunnel of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C shows hooks used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4D shows a stabilizing eyelet as used on an inflatable tunnel of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an overhead perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with multiple inflatable tunnels.

FIG. 6 shows a portal of an inflatable tunnel of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with multiple inflatable tunnels.

FIG. 8 shows an overhead perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with angled side tunnels.

FIG. 9A shows a rolled canopy as used with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9B shows a canopy as used with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9C shows another canopy as used with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the unitary passageway of an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the unitary passageway comprises an inflatable tunnel 100, a flexible canopy 200, and a cargo hold 300. The cargo hold is typically at the back end of a truck but may be any reasonably-sized compartment such as a trailer, shipping container, and the like. The invention allows workers to move property from a building to a vehicle in inclement conditions without suffering the ill effects that harsh weather conditions and precipitation have on both people and property.

The inflatable tunnel 100 comprises a sealed, air-filled cavity contained within the inner and outer surfaces of the tunnel. The tunnel 100 is generally U-shaped with a hollow passageway beneath the inner surface of the tunnel. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a U-shaped passageway is terminated at each end by a portal adapted for passage of people, furniture, and the like. The tunnel 100 is typically made from a resilient material, such as a polyethylene woven mesh, and can extend for lengths from 6 feet up to 24 or 36 feet. Any reasonable length is contemplated by and within the scope of the invention.

The outer surface of the tunnel 100 further comprises spaced-apart connection eyelets 110 at least near a first end of the tunnel 100. These eyelets are attached to a securing means, such as a rope or bungee cord. The securing means are further attached to the flexible canopy 200 at spaced apart positions generally corresponding to the positions of the connection eyelets 110. The connection eyelets 110 are strategically placed and spaced apart near a first opening of the inflatable tunnel, though the connection eyelets may be placed at any position on the outer surface of the tunnel 100.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, stabilizing eyelets 120 are situated on the outer surface of the tunnel 100. Typically, the stabilizing eyelets are placed at the corners of the canopy near the ground and at strategic positions between them. For example, in one embodiment, a stabilizing eyelet 120 is placed at each terminating end of the passageway on either side of the generally U-shaped passageway. A further stabilizing eyelet 120 is placed equidistant between the stabilizing eyelets on either side of the generally U-shaped tunnel 100.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4D concurrently, FIG. 4D shows a stabilizing eyelet 120 of the inflatable tunnel 100. The stabilizing eyelet 120 is attached by placement within a loop 122 which is fixedly sewn to the exterior of inflatable tunnel 100. The stabilizing eyelets 120 are then fastened to the ground by way of flexible attachment means 124, such as a rope or bungee cord. The other end of the attachment means 124 may be staked into the ground or weighted down to prevent movement in a commonly known manner. Alternatively, stakes may be placed directly between the stabilizing eyelets 120 and the ground for fixed and rigid attachment of the tunnel 100 to the ground. In another embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing eyelets 120 are not utilized. However, in high wind conditions, or where it is likely that during the use of the invention a person or property will lean heavily on the inflatable tunnel, it is desirable to use the stabilizing eyelets to ensure that the passageway remains in place.

In the present embodiment, optional mat 150 is provided. The mat 150 is made from a resilient flexible material such as a polyethylene woven mesh. The mat provides a lower surface of the unitary passageway of the invention. For example, in wet or snowy conditions, the mat protects workers from slipping and falling by providing a covering on the ground. When the property being moved is placed down, it is placed on a clean mat and is protected from water damage.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the connection between the cargo hold 300 and the canopy 200 in more detail. FIG. 2 shows the opening to the cargo hold with a cargo hold opening 350 defined by at least a top wall containing top eyelets 320 and side walls comprising side eyelets 330. In the present embodiment of the invention, the side eyelets 330 and top eyelets 320 are typically spaced apart and equidistant to each other. Three side eyelets 330 are provided at either side and spaced apart, such that a pair of eyelets on either side of the cargo hold opening 350 is adjacent to the bottom third of the cargo hold, another pair is adjacent to a middle third of the cargo hold, and a third pair is adjacent the top third of the cargo hold. While three side eyelets 330 are provided on either side, any reasonable number of eyelets may be utilized, and such configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the invention.

The canopy 200 is further secured by securing means to the top eyelets 320 positioned on the top wall of the cargo hold opening 350. In an embodiment of the invention, three top eyelets 320 are used for securing the canopy 200 to the cargo hold 300. Depending on the specific needs of the user, the canopy 200 may be attached to some or all of the side and top eyelets. Attachment to the top eyelets 320 provides stable placement of the canopy 200 as a top of the unitary passageway. The canopy 200 then hangs down to form side walls of the unitary passageway. However, as best depicted in FIG. 3, in an embodiment of the invention, the canopy 200 is secured to the top eyelets 320 and side eyelets 330, whereby top and side walls of the unitary passageway are formed between the cargo hold 300 and the inflatable tunnel 100 by the respective connections of the canopy 200 to the top eyelets 320, side eyelets 330, and inflatable tunnel 100.

FIGS. 4A through 4C show details of attachment means which are used in this embodiment of the invention to attach the canopy 200 to the cargo hold 300 and inflatable tunnel 100. FIG. 4A shows a side eyelet 330 positioned on a side wall of the cargo hold opening 350 with attached canopy 200. FIG. 4B shows a connection eyelet 110 on the inflatable tunnel 100. Hooks as known in the art are depicted in various sizes in FIG. 4C. In the present embodiment of the invention, a ½″ hook 166 is used to attach the connection eyelet 110 to the canopy 200, and a ¾″ hook 164 or 1″ hook 162 is used to attach the canopy 200 to the side eyelets 330 and top eyelets 320 of the cargo hold 300. Rope or bungee cord (not shown) extends between hook 166 and hook 164 or hook 162 to form a fixed connection between two hooks. Alternatively, hooks 162, 164, and 166 are sewn into or otherwise fixedly attached to canopy 200 and attached to side eyelets 330, top eyelets 320, and connection eyelets 110.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, other connection means for temporary and fixed attachment between the canopy 200 and cargo hold 300, as well as the inflatable tunnel 100, may be used. For example, in an alternative embodiment, side eyelets 330 and top eyelets 320 are sockets formed by drilling holes through the side walls and top walls of the cargo hold 300, and the canopy 200 is attached by the hooks 162, 164, or 166 or by a rope attaching the canopy 200 to the side and top walls of the cargo hold 300.

Thus, in the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4D, the passageway protected from the elements extends from the inside of cargo hold 300, through cargo hold opening 350, underneath the top portion of canopy 200, and between portions of the canopy 200 which connect to the right and left walls of the cargo hold 300 and form respective right and left walls of the unitary passageway. The passageway then continues beneath the interior walls of the inflatable tunnel 100 and terminates at an open end of the tunnel 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the lower extreme of the passageway beneath the inflatable tunnel 100 as described herein is the surface of the ground. In another embodiment of the invention, the lower extreme of the passageway beneath the inflatable tunnel is the mat 150.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of the invention, this embodiment having side tunnels 180 and 190. Each side tunnel 180 and 190 is substantially similar to tunnel 100, in that each tunnel is provided with a substantially U-shaped inflatable cavity having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surfaces having a plurality of connection eyelets 110 and stabilizing eyelets 120. The connection eyelets 110 are optionally used to fixedly and temporarily attach each side tunnel 180 and 190 to tunnel 100 via ropes, bungee cords, or other resilient and flexible means. Such attachment provides stability of the tunnels with respect to each other and the ground surface. While FIG. 5 depicts one canopy connecting to a tunnel with three portals 140, the invention as contemplated by the inventor is flexible in that tunnel 100 and tunnel 180, by example, may be utilized without the use of tunnel 190. Such an embodiment is useful for making right angles.

FIG. 6 depicts the portals 140 which are provided at the respective ends of each of tunnels 100, 180, and 190, as well as in tunnel 100 where tunnel 100 meets side tunnels 180 and 190. Flaps as known in the art are provided in the portals 140 to protect the passageway from weather conditions and to aid in maintaining the desired atmosphere inside the passageway.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show yet another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with multiple inflatable tunnels. FIG. 8 shows an overhead perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with angled side tunnels. In this embodiment, the side tunnels 180 and 190 are rotatable with respect to tunnel 100. While in the embodiment of FIG. 5 the side tunnels 180 and 190 were at right angles to tunnel 100, in the present embodiment, the side tunnels 180 and 190 can move with up to 135 degrees of freedom with respect to tunnel 100. This flexibility allows for adaptability of the unitary passageway so as to extend the passageway in any direction necessary by using a portal 140 on the tunnel 100 on either side or of the terminating end of the tunnel. Thus, the passageway can extend in any direction, including to a position adjacent to the cargo hold 300.

Further, in an embodiment of the invention, any reasonable number of extension tunnels may be positioned at the end of a tunnel 100, 180 or 190 to provide further extension of the passageway (not depicted). When a side tunnel 180 or 190 or extension tunnel (not depicted) is placed at an angle with respect to another tunnel, rigid connection means such as a rope or bungee cord are used between the connection eyelets 110 of the respective tunnels. The stabilizing eyelets 120 are further used to keep the respective tunnels in place. Thus, tunnels may be placed at angles to each other and be fixed in place, as well as be positioned snuggly against one another, so that workers and property are protected from the outside during usage.

FIG. 9A shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the canopy 200 is in a rolled condition. In this embodiment, straps 290 are tied around the circumference of the rolled canopy 200. The straps 290 are further secured to the top eyelets 320 of the cargo hold 300. This configuration allows for the canopy 200 to be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the cargo hold 300 above the cargo hold opening 350 via the top eyelets 320. FIG. 9B shows the canopy of FIG. 9A in an unrolled condition and having permanently attached rope on two sides thereof. FIG. 9C shows the canopy of FIG. 9A in an unrolled condition and having permanently attached rope on three sides thereof. The rope may be attached to the canopy by any means known in the art, such as by sewing, gluing, or forming the rope as part of a unitary structure with the canopy itself.

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9 in general, and to FIG. 1 in particular, in the method of employing the invention, a cargo hold 300 is brought near a building where property is to be moved. The inflatable tunnel 100, in the deflated condition, is positioned between the cargo hold 300 and the building. A standard air compressor as known in the art is plugged into an electrical outlet or a DC power source and used to inflate the tunnel 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the air compressor is sewn into a compartment between the inner and outer walls of the inflatable tunnel.

An advantageous feature of the invention is that inflation of the tunnel takes about fifteen minutes. During this time interval, the rest of the unitary passageway can be configured. The canopy 200 is rolled from the cargo hold 300 and securely attached to the connection eyelets 110 of the inflatable tunnel. The canopy is also attached to the side eyelets 330 of the cargo hold 300 at the cargo hold opening 350 to provide side walls of the passageway between the cargo hold 300 and the inflatable tunnel 100. The stabilizing eyelets 120 are stably attached to the rope 124 or to a stake placed between a stabilizing eyelet 120 and the ground.

Further, multiple tunnels 100, 180, and 190 can be inflated simultaneously and attached to each other via a flexible connection between the connection eyelets 110 of a tunnel 100 and a side tunnel 180 and 190. Thus, a large inflatable passageway can be configured between a building and the cargo hold 300 in fifteen minutes or less.

It should be understood by one skilled in the art that the above disclosure has been presented by way of example only and not limitation. For example, the present invention is not limited to the physical arrangements or dimensions illustrated or described. Further, the present invention is not limited to any particular design or materials of construction. As such, the breadth and scope of the patent invention should not be limited to any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A unitary passageway comprising: an inflatable tunnel further comprising a sealed inflatable cavity having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface comprising walls of at least a part of said passageway, and said outer surface comprising a plurality of eyelets, said tunnel having at least a first and second portal; a rollable canopy fixedly attached to a cargo hold of a vehicle at a top wall of said cargo hold, said rollable canopy further comprising a plurality of eyelets for fixed attachment to said plurality of eyelets of said outer surface of said inflatable tunnel; wherein said inflatable tunnel and said rollable canopy form said unitary passageway, said unitary passageway having at least a top and at least partial left and right sides.
 2. The unitary passageway of claim 1, wherein at least one eyelet of said plurality of eyelets of said rollable canopy is fixedly attached to a side wall of said cargo hold.
 3. The unitary passageway of claim 1 wherein said at least one eyelet of said plurality of eyelets of said rollable canopy is fixedly attached to a first side wall of said cargo hold and at least a second said eyelet is fixedly attached to a second side wall of said cargo hold.
 4. The unitary passageway of claim 1 wherein said second portal of said tunnel is at a side opposite said first portal.
 5. The unitary passageway of claim 1 wherein said second portal of said tunnel is at a side of said tunnel adjacent to said first portal.
 6. The unitary passageway of claim 1 wherein at least one portal of said inflatable tunnel further comprises closable flaps.
 7. The unitary passageway of claim 1 wherein said inflatable tunnel further comprises an inflation apparatus.
 8. The unitary passageway of claim 1 further comprising at least a second inflatable tunnel, said second inflatable tunnel comprising at least a first and second portal, said first portal of said second inflatable tunnel is adjacent to said second portal of said first inflatable tunnel.
 9. The unitary passageway of claim 8 wherein said second inflatable tunnel is positioned at an angle relative to said first inflatable tunnel.
 10. The unitary passageway of claim 9 wherein said angle is between −135 and +135 degrees.
 11. A unitary passageway comprising: an inflatable tunnel further comprising a sealed inflatable cavity having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface comprising walls of at least a part of said passageway, and said outer surface further comprising a plurality of eyelets, said tunnel having at least a first and second portal; and a rollable canopy fixedly attached to at least a top wall of a cargo hold of a vehicle and comprising a plurality of eyelets fixedly attached to at least said plurality of eyelets of said outer surface of said inflatable tunnel.
 12. The unitary passageway of claim 11, wherein at least one eyelet of said plurality of eyelets of said rollable canopy is fixedly attached to a side wall of said cargo hold.
 13. The unitary passageway of claim 11 wherein said at least one eyelet of said plurality of eyelets of said rollable canopy is fixedly attached to a first wall of said cargo hold and at least a second said eyelet is fixedly attached to a second wall of said cargo hold.
 14. The unitary passageway of claim 11, wherein the unitary passageway has a top side and at least a partial left side and a partial right side.
 15. A method of constructing a unitary passageway comprising: inflating an inflatable tunnel having a plurality of eyelets; extending a canopy from a vehicle over at least a part of said inflatable tunnel; attaching said canopy to said inflatable tunnel.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said inflating is performed by an inflation apparatus positioned within said inflatable tunnel.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein said steps of extending and attaching said canopy are performed while said inflatable tunnel is being inflated.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of inflating a second inflatable tunnel and positioning a portal of said second inflatable tunnel adjacent to a portal of said first inflatable tunnel.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said first and second inflatable tunnels are positioned at an angle relative to each other.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said angle is between −135 and +135 degrees. 